ALOUATTA PURUENSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Alouatta puruensis, commonly known as the Purus red howler monkey, is a species of howler monkey found in the Amazon rainforest, specifically in the Purus River basin in Brazil and Peru.
This species belongs to the genus Alouatta, which is a group of New World monkeys known for their distinctive vocalizations. They are characterized by their long prehensile tail, which helps them maneuver through the forest canopy, and their large, round head with a wide mouth that enables them to produce loud howling calls.
The physical appearance of Alouatta puruensis consists of dense, reddish-brown fur, with some individuals displaying a black patch on their forehead. They have a robust body structure, with males being larger than females. The diet of the Purus red howler monkey mainly consists of leaves, fruits, and occasionally seeds, which they gather by moving through the trees and using their powerful jaws to chew their food.
The Purus red howler monkey is arboreal, spending most of its life in the treetops, where it forms social groups consisting of a dominant male, multiple females, and their offspring. This species has a slow reproductive rate, with females giving birth to one offspring every 2 to 3 years.
Due to habitat destruction, as a result of deforestation and human activities, the Purus red howler monkey is facing population decline and is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Efforts are being made to protect its habitat and ensure the survival of this unique and important species in the rainforests of the Amazon.
Etymology of ALOUATTA PURUENSIS
The etymology of the scientific name Alouatta puruensis can be broken down as follows:
1. Alouatta: The genus name Alouatta comes from the Latin word alutus, which means to bellow or to cry aloud. This refers to the loud, distinctive howls that Howler Monkeys, belonging to the Alouatta genus, produce.
2. puruensis: The specific epithet puruensis is derived from Puruá, a region in Colombia where the Howler Monkey species was first discovered. The suffix -ensis is commonly used in taxonomy to indicate a geographical reference, meaning of or belonging to.
Therefore, Alouatta puruensis can be translated as Howler Monkey from Puruá.
